Scientists have discovered an alarming trend; A weakened section of the Earth’s magnetic field, called the South Atlantic Anomaly, is rapidly expanding and shifting westward. The region has grown 25 percent since 2014 and now covers an area nearly twice the size of Texas, according to a new study published Monday, the Daily Mail reported.
This anomaly occurs due to the movement of molten iron in the Earth’s outer core, which creates the planet’s magnetic field. But in the South Atlantic region, metal flows move unstably, and therefore the planet’s protective shield is weakening. The Earth’s magnetic field acts as an invisible barrier that protects us from solar radiation and charged particles, and any violation of it can lead to serious consequences.
The real danger of the South Atlantic Anomaly is that it directly affects satellites. Devices are exposed to increased levels of radiation when passing through a weakened area; This can damage electronics, erase data, or even completely destroy the equipment. Satellites that provide GPS, mobile communications and weather forecasts are particularly vulnerable.
“There is something special going on in this region that is causing the field to weaken more intensely,” said Chris Finley, professor of geomagnetism at the Technical University of Denmark and lead author of the study. He added that the anomaly is moving towards Africa, indicating active processes deep within the planet.
Using data from the European Space Agency’s Swarm satellites, the study found that similar changes were occurring in other parts of the planet. For example, in the Canadian region the magnetic field has weakened by 0.65 percent, and a change in strong magnetic fluxes is observed under the Bering Strait.
By the way, we previously wrote that an international group of scientists recorded the first climate turning point. According to researchers, our planet’s ecosystem has entered a process of irreversible change. Which ones exactly, read here.
Source: People Talk
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
